Brian Bennett’s 107 Powers Zimbabwe to Win 1st T20I Against Afghanistan

When Brian Bennett stepped up to the crease on December 11, 2024, at the Harare Sports Club, no one knew he was about to rewrite Zimbabwe’s T20I script. His blistering 107 off just 59 balls — a masterclass in controlled aggression — lifted Zimbabwe national cricket team to a thrilling 4-wicket win over Afghanistan in the opening match of their three-game T20I series. Chasing 145, Zimbabwe needed more than just runs — they needed belief. Bennett delivered both.

The Chase That Shook the Series

Zimbabwe didn’t just win — they clawed back from the brink. Afghanistan, batting first, posted 144 for 6 in 20 overs, thanks largely to Azmatullah Omarzai’s fiery 75. But Zimbabwe’s reply looked shaky early: Rahmanullah Gurbaz was out for a duck in three balls, caught by Bennett off Ngarava. Sediqullah Atal followed for 3, and Hazratullah Zazai fell for 20. At 57 for 3 in the 11th over, the visitors looked in control. But here’s the twist: Zimbabwe’s middle order didn’t panic. Bennett, the quiet workhorse, turned up the heat.

He didn’t just hit boundaries — he made them. His 107 included 12 fours and 7 sixes, and he did it without ever looking rushed. With the score at 123 for 5, Bennett and Regis Chakabva (21*) stitched together a 22-run partnership that felt like a sigh of relief. The final ball, a single to deep midwicket, brought the crowd to its feet. Zimbabwe had done it. 145 for 6. 20 overs. 4 wickets in hand.

Afghanistan’s Bowling, Zimbabwe’s Resilience

Afghanistan’s attack — led by Naveen-ul-Haq and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, each bowling 4 overs — kept things tight early. But Bennett exposed the gaps. Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe’s pace spearhead, took 1 wicket, but it was Bennett’s bat that did the talking. The Afghan bowlers didn’t bowl poorly; they just ran out of answers. Bennett’s innings was the kind that doesn’t just win matches — it changes perceptions. For years, Zimbabwe’s T20I performances were seen as inconsistent. This? This was a statement.

And it wasn’t just Bennett. The fielding was sharp. Ngarava’s direct hit to dismiss Gurbaz? A moment of brilliance. The catch by Burl to dismiss Zazai? Clean, crisp, timely. Zimbabwe’s fielding unit, often overlooked, was immaculate. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s fielding — sloppy at key moments — cost them dearly.

The Series Shifts — And Then It Slips Away

The win gave Zimbabwe a 1-0 lead. But cricket, as we know, doesn’t stay still. Two days later, on December 13, Afghanistan struck back with a 50-run demolition. Darwish Rasooli’s 50 off 38 balls lit up the innings, and Zimbabwe collapsed to 103 in 17.4 overs. The momentum swung hard. Then came the decider: Afghanistan chased 128 with 4 balls to spare, sealing the series 2-1. The twist? Zimbabwe’s T20I win felt like a false dawn.

Yet, the first match mattered. It wasn’t just about the win. It was about Bennett proving he could carry a team under pressure. And it was about Zimbabwe showing they could compete — not just survive — against one of the most explosive T20I sides in the world.

Beyond T20s: The Test Series That Followed

The T20I series was never just about T20s. It was a warm-up for the historic Test series that began December 26, 2024. And what happened next was astonishing. Zimbabwe posted their highest-ever Test score — 586 — thanks to Sean Williams’ 154 and Bennett’s maiden Test century. Afghanistan responded with their highest Test total, anchored by Hashmatullah Shahidi’s monumental 246. Bennett didn’t just score runs — he took his first five-wicket haul in Tests. Rahmat Shah of Afghanistan notched his first double century. Both teams shattered records. And Bennett? He was the only player to score a century in both formats during the tour.

This wasn’t coincidence. The T20I innings against Afghanistan had been the catalyst. The confidence, the rhythm, the belief — it all carried over. Cricket is a game of momentum, and Bennett’s 107 was the spark.

What This Means for Both Teams

Afghanistan’s 2-1 series win was a sign of their growing maturity. They’ve moved beyond being the team that wins on flair alone. They now win with composure, with tactical discipline. Their spinners — Mujeeb and Naveen — remain among the best in the world. But Zimbabwe? They showed they’re no longer just the underdogs. They’re building something. The leadership, the depth, the resilience — it’s all coming together.

Both teams are now ranked in the top 10 of the ICC T20I standings. That’s not accidental. It’s the result of consistent international exposure, and this tour — from Harare’s dusty pitches to the Test arenas — proved it.